Lights, camera, action! Using videos in your job search

A few days ago, I received an internship description that requested applicants to send either a cover letter or a "two minute video blurb" about themselves along with their resume. While many employers still require only resumes and cover letters, videos ("video resumes" or, in this most recent example, "video blurbs") are becoming a more common request for some career paths. So how do you make yours stand out?

Center yourself on-screen and pay attention to your background. Whether you use a webcam to record your video, a small video camera set up on a tripod, or a friend who promises to play cameraman as long as you buy him dinner, pay attention to how your video is framed. It'll be distracting if your little head is in the lower right corner of the screen with oodles of headroom surrounding you. Keep in mind that your background matters. A room full of dirty laundry behind you won't make a good impression on a prospective employer.

Look directly at the camera. Just as eye contact matters in an in-person interview, it also counts when you're making a video to go along with your job application. Darting eyes scream lack of confidence. Sometimes it helps to pretend the camera is your mom or a friend (i.e. someone you ideally find easy to talk to).

Bring a lot of energy and be creative. Give your viewer something memorable. If he or she will want to fall asleep while watching, you haven't accomplished your mission. Show that you are an enthusiastic potential employee. Give the recruiter or hiring manager a reason to want to share your video around the office - in a good way! Don't do anything embarrassing or anything that you wouldn't be proud to show your parents or significant other.

Have something to show, a prop of some kind. Sticking with the creative theme, it's a good idea to have something that you can show off in your video - a particularly creative project you worked on or some sort of prop (again, be appropriate) that your viewer won't forget.

Don't memorize a script or read your resume word-for-word. SNORE! There's no point in creating a video if you're just going to read your resume to your viewer. Memorizing what you're going to say also won't come off well. Be natural and show them who they're going to get if they decide to hire you.

End with a slogan or something memorable. It's a good idea to end your video with something particularly catchy. Ideally, the video won't be much longer than two minutes. At the end of those two minutes, your goal is to have your prospective employer hooky. A catchy slogan that sums up your personal brand can be a good way to do that, although you want to be careful to balance the line between catchy and hokey.

Again, while video resumes (or blurbs) aren't for everyone, they can be a nice supplement to your application!